Category: News

VALENCIA – A public bus in Valencia was brought to a complete halt for approximately 30 minutes after two Moroccan men allegedly assaulted the driver and refused to let the vehicle continue its route.nThe incident, which occurred at the end of March 2026, was widely shared on social media through videos and eyewitness accounts, generating significant concern among passengers and local authorities regarding safety on the city’s public transport system. Two Moroccan Men Arrested for Brutally Beating an 87-Year-Old Man in Vitoria According to the reports, the two men boarded the urban bus and became aggressive when asked to pay the fare or comply with the driver’s instructions. The situation quickly escalated into a physical confrontation with the driver. The aggressors then blocked the bus doors and prevented it from moving, effectively paralyzing the service for around half an hour in the middle of a busy city route. Other passengers were forced to remain inside the vehicle during the disturbance, causing fear and inconvenience. The standoff only ended when police officers arrived at the scene and intervened. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Policía 24h (@policia24h) Videos circulating online clearly show the confrontation and the bus standing still with its doors blocked, while several passengers can be seen looking visibly distressed. Local authorities have confirmed they are reviewing the footage and investigating the incident. The event has once again highlighted growing concerns over safety and order on Valencia’s public transport network, with many residents calling for stronger measures to protect both drivers and passengers. Moroccan Immigrant Arrested in Bilbao After Stabbing Man Three Times During Argument at a Bingo Hall This is not the first reported case of aggression toward bus drivers in the city in recent months.

BADAJOZ – A young girl was injured after being struck by a stray bullet in the playground of her school in Badajoz on Tuesday. 11-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Stabbed in Villanueva de la Cañada The incident occurred at the San José de Calasanz school while the girl was outside participating in regular school activities. She was hit in the leg by a projectile of unknown origin. It remains unclear whether the shot was fired directly at her or if she was struck by a ricochet.nThe National Police have launched an investigation into the shooting.nThe girl was immediately taken to hospital for medical evaluation. According to the Extremadura Health Service (SES), she is being treated at the University Hospital of Badajoz. Her condition is stable and her prognosis is favorable. Context of Recent Violence The shooting has raised serious concern in Badajoz, as it comes amid a recent wave of gun violence in the city. In the past few weeks, several shootouts linked to rival clans have been reported in different neighborhoods. Moroccan Immigrant Arrested in Mallorca for Brutally Beating a 12-Year-Old Boy Local residents and authorities have expressed alarm over the increasing presence of firearms and the potential danger this poses to innocent civilians, especially children in educational settings.nThe National Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident to determine the origin of the shot and identify those responsible.

BARCELONA – A serious computer system failure has left Spain’s police unable to automatically filter criminal records for foreigners for the past two months, forcing officers to carry out thousands of manual checks every day. Spain Launches Extraordinary Migrant Regularization Process This Thursday The technical glitch, which began on December 10, affects the automated system used by the National Police to quickly discard residency applications from individuals with criminal records. As a result, officers must now manually verify every single application against national and regional police databases. The Unified Police Syndicate (SUP) issued a public warning on Tuesday, urging the government to resolve the problem urgently.nOverwhelmed System Amid Mass RegularizationnThe failure comes at a critical moment, as the Pedro Sánchez government prepares to roll out one of the most lenient mass regularization programs in Spain’s recent history. The extraordinary regularization process, expected to benefit hundreds of thousands of irregular migrants, has already triggered a massive influx of applications and widespread reports of fraud. According to the SUP, before the system failure, specialized units typically handled between 100 and 200 background checks per day. That figure has now skyrocketed to between 1,000 and 2,000 daily checks in many provinces. In Barcelona alone, the backlog of pending cases has reached nearly 30,000, despite officers processing over 10,000 urgent files through extraordinary efforts. SUP spokesperson Ana María Alarcón emphasized that these manual verifications are not simple administrative tasks but essential security checks directly linked to public safety. “Police are ensuring that no application is approved without proper verification,” she said. “However, this structural overload is clearly affecting processing times.” 🔴 ESTO ES MUY GRAVE ¡Se confirma el escándalo y ya es portada! Lo cuenta @JosemaVallejo en #Horizonte con @navedelmisterio:La base de datos del CETSE de El Escorial lleva caída desde el 10 de diciembre de 2025. No filtra antecedentes. No permite comprobar historiales. No se… pic.twitter.com/6bVOWzOP63— Policía S.XXI  (@PoliciaSXXI) February 14, 2026 Serious Security Risks The union warns that if the massive regularization process moves forward without the automated system being fully operational, it could lead to significant delays, increased pressure on police units, and a higher risk of dangerous individuals slipping through the system.nAlarcón stressed that manual checks maintain the same level of rigor, but they require far more time and human resources. Without adequate reinforcements, the entire process slows down considerably. The SUP is demanding: • An urgent technical fix for the automated filtering system • Extraordinary reinforcement of police personnel while the failure persists • Structural strengthening of the police IT services • A realistic contingency plan to prevent future collapses • A proper assessment of the impact this failure may have on the extraordinary regularization process Hundreds of Moroccans Queue Outside Spanish Consulate in Almería to Apply for Naturalization “The security of the rule of law and citizen security must go hand in hand,” the union concluded. “Any large-scale administrative process requires robust computer systems and adequately staffed teams.”nThis technical breakdown has dramatically increased the workload on police units across the country and threatens to compromise the deadlines and security standards of the government’s ambitious migrant regularization plan if urgent measures are not taken.

BARCELONA – A man is in serious condition after being shot in the middle of the day on a public street in the Sant Martí district of Barcelona. The shooting occurred around 3:50 PM on Passeig Taulat, near Diagonal Mar Park. According to police sources, the victim was shot while sitting on the terrace of a restaurant. Mossos d’Esquadra officers were quickly dispatched to the scene after receiving emergency calls. They confirmed that a firearm had been used. The wounded man was immediately treated by emergency services and rushed to hospital, where he remains in serious condition. Eyewitness Account A local resident who was on her balcony at the time of the shooting described the dramatic scene. She stated that the attack took place on the terrace of a restaurant where several tables were occupied by customers. “When the shots rang out, people started running in panic,” she said. The witness rushed downstairs to help the injured man and provide first aid until paramedics arrived. She added that the attackers were a group of several individuals with their faces covered. They arrived on foot, carried out the shooting, and then fled the scene running. Investigation Underway The Catalan police (Mossos d’Esquadra) have launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators and determine the motive behind the shooting. So far, no arrests have been reported.nThis incident has caused alarm in the neighborhood, as it represents yet another episode of gun violence occurring in broad daylight in a busy public area of Barcelona.

VITORIA – Two young Moroccan men, aged 19 and 21, have been arrested by the Basque police (Ertzaintza) after allegedly assaulting and attempting to rob an 87-year-old man in the city of Vitoria. Moroccan Immigrant Arrested in Bilbao After Stabbing Man Three Times During Argument at a Bingo Hall According to reports, the suspects approached the elderly victim with the intention of stealing his belongings. During the violent assault, the 87-year-old man suffered significant injuries that required his immediate transfer to hospital. The rapid response by the Ertzaintza enabled officers to locate and arrest the two suspects shortly after the attack. An investigation has been opened to fully clarify the circumstances of the incident and determine the exact charges. While detailed information about the victim’s current medical condition has not been released, sources indicate that his injuries were serious enough to require hospitalization. Ratas cobardes y sí, otra vez magrebíes, como ya es costumbre…Detenidos en Vitoria dos magrebíes de 19 y 21 años tras asaltar e intentar robar a un anciano de 87 años que tuvo que ser trasladado al hospital https://t.co/s9wqo4pjG6 vía @gaceta_es— Laura 💚💙🇪🇸 (@cid_lauri) April 13, 2026 Growing Concern Over Elderly Safety This latest case has once again highlighted the vulnerability of elderly citizens to violent street crime, particularly in urban areas where seniors can become easy targets for aggressors. Local authorities and police forces have stressed the need to strengthen prevention measures and increase surveillance in order to protect vulnerable members of the community and prevent similar attacks in the future.

BILBAO – A 23-year-old Moroccan man has been arrested by the Basque police (Ertzaintza) after allegedly stabbing another man three times during a violent argument inside a bingo hall in central Bilbao.nThe incident occurred on Thursday, April 9, shortly after 10:00 PM. Moroccan Immigrant Arrested in Mallorca for Brutally Beating a 12-Year-Old Boy According to police reports, two men of Maghrebi origin began arguing and physically fighting inside the bingo premises. The confrontation quickly spilled outside, where one of the men pulled out a knife and stabbed the other three times — twice in the back and once in the abdomen, with the abdominal wound being the most serious. The 31-year-old victim collapsed to the ground and was found bleeding heavily by officers who responded to multiple emergency calls. Police officers provided first aid by applying pressure to the wounds until paramedics arrived. The victim was stabilized and rushed in serious condition to Cruces University Hospital, where he remains hospitalized. His condition is now stable and his life is not in danger. Detenido en Bilbao un magrebí de 23 años, por intentar matar a otro tras asestarle tres puñaladas y golpearle después de una discusión en un bingo https://t.co/EyoAYmiCo1 vía @gaceta_es— Afrvet (@afrvet) April 13, 2026 Investigation and Arrest A witness identified the alleged attacker to police, but he had already fled the scene. Officers recovered a blood-stained knife near a rubbish container close to the location of the attack. The following day, on Friday evening, investigation officers located the suspect in Bilbao’s Old Town (Casco Viejo). When approached by police, the man was carrying a screwdriver and had blood on his clothing. He was immediately arrested and charged with attempted murder. The suspect, a 23-year-old man of Moroccan origin with a prior criminal record, was taken into custody for formal procedures and will be brought before a judge in the coming hours. Moroccan Immigrant Arrested After Attacking Several Neighbors with an Axe in Granada Background This latest violent incident has once again raised concerns about street safety and integration issues in Bilbao, particularly in the city center and nightlife areas.

A serious incident of violence has shocked the small Mallorcan town of Lloseta, where a 12-year-old boy was hospitalized after being savagely beaten by the father of another child during an informal football game.nThe events took place last Tuesday afternoon at the municipal sports field of Es Puig during a casual match between children. Moroccan Immigrant Arrested After Attacking Several Neighbors with an Axe in Granada Attack Triggered by Accidental Play According to sources from the Guardia Civil, the assault began when the victim accidentally struck another young player from the opposing team during normal play. At that moment, the father of the other child — a 47-year-old Moroccan man — allegedly stormed onto the pitch and violently attacked the 12-year-old, repeatedly striking him in the head.nAs a result of the beating, the boy suffered a concussion and was rushed to the hospital in Inca, where he remains recovering. Arrest and Judicial Measures Local residents who witnessed the attack immediately alerted the Lloseta Local Police and the Guardia Civil. Officers arrived quickly and arrested the alleged aggressor on the spot.nThe suspect was later brought before a judge, who ordered his release with a restraining order prohibiting him from approaching or contacting the victim or his family. Outrage in the Community The incident has caused widespread indignation in Lloseta. Neighbors and local authorities have strongly condemned the violent attack, especially since it involved a minor. In an official statement, the Town Council expressed its firm rejection of the incident, emphasizing that the match was not an official event organized by the local football club. 🇪🇸🇲🇦 Detenido un padre MARROQUÍ de 47 años por pegar una paliza a un niño de 12 años en un partido de fútbol en Camp Municipal Es Puig, Lloseta, Mallorca.El marroquí saltó al campo después de que le diera un golpe involuntario a su hijo en un lance del juego. Sin que mediara… pic.twitter.com/2hZStkXOf0— 🇪🇦PATRIAM TV🇪🇦 (@patriam_tv) April 10, 2026 The municipality declared: “This type of behavior has no place in our society.” The Town Council also extended its full support to the injured boy and his family, while stressing the importance of promoting sport as a space for respect, coexistence, and education, free from any form of violence.nLocal authorities have called on all adults to act responsibly, particularly in environments involving children, to prevent similar episodes from occurring in the future.

Hundreds of Moroccans Queue Outside Spanish Consulate in Almería to Apply for Naturalization After Sánchez Government’s Mass Regularization A video circulating on social media shows long queues of Moroccan nationals lining up in front of the Spanish Consulate in Almería, southeastern Spain, as they seek to obtain the necessary documentation to legalize their situation or begin the naturalization process.nThe scenes come just days after the Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, officially launched an extraordinary mass regularization program for irregular migrants. The process began on April 16 with online applications and continues with in-person appointments. Spain Launches Extraordinary Migrant Regularization Process This Thursday According to the Ministry of Inclusion, the measure aims to regularize hundreds of thousands of foreigners who have been living and working in Spain for months or years without legal status. The program is open to certain asylum seekers and economic migrants who can prove they arrived before specific cutoff dates in 2025. While the government presents the initiative as a necessary response to labor shortages and demographic challenges, critics have strongly condemned it, accusing Sánchez’s administration of encouraging irregular migration and prioritizing political interests over border control and national security. 🚨🇪🇸🇲🇦 | PAÍS TERMINADO: Un video muestra a cientos de marroquíes haciendo fila frente al consulado en Almería, España, buscando la documentación necesaria para nacionalizarse tras la regularización masiva decretada por el corrupto Pedro Sánchez. pic.twitter.com/rXGFrTFv5g— La Derecha Diario (@laderechadiario) April 13, 2026 In Almería — a province with a large agricultural sector that relies heavily on migrant labor — the consulate has seen a significant influx of applicants, many of them Moroccan. Similar scenes have been reported at other Spanish consulates in Morocco and at immigration offices across Spain. The government has insisted the process includes strict requirements, such as having no criminal record and not posing a threat to public order. However, opposition parties and several regional governments have voiced concerns about the speed of the procedure and its potential impact on public services and social cohesion. This latest development has reignited the intense political debate in Spain over immigration policy, with the Sánchez government once again at the center of controversy.

MADRID – The Spanish government will begin the extraordinary regularization process for irregular migrants this Thursday, April 16, with online applications opening first, followed by in-person appointments starting on April 20. The announcement was made by the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, who also issued a clear message to Ukrainians currently in Spain under temporary protection: “Do not apply for this extraordinary regularization process.” In a statement posted on social media, the ministry emphasized that “this process is not designed for all foreigners.” It specifically clarified that those who arrived in Spain as displaced persons due to the war in Ukraine and hold a temporary protection residence permit should not apply. Appointments for in-person procedures at immigration offices will also become available starting this Thursday. The Council of Ministers is expected to formally approve the measure on Tuesday. It will be published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on Wednesday, April 15, and will remain open for two and a half months, closing on June 30. Minister Saiz assured citizens in an interview with Cadena SER that there will be enough time to process all applications. “Whatever comes, we will handle it,” she said. illegal migrant from Honduras attempted to burn down a pub with people inside in Leon President Sánchez’s Message In a letter addressed to the Spanish people, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed pride in the initiative, describing it as “an act of normalization” that recognizes nearly half a million people who are already part of Spanish daily life. He framed the measure as both “an act of justice” toward Spain’s own history of emigration and “a necessity” due to the country’s aging population. “Without new people working and contributing, our prosperity slows down, our capacity to innovate weakens, and our public services — healthcare, pensions, and education — suffer,” Sánchez wrote. He added that neither technology nor automation alone can solve this demographic challenge in the coming years.nThe Prime Minister stressed that the true purpose of the regularization is “to recognize rights, but also to demand obligations.” Esto no es Marsella, 🇫🇷 ni Londres, 🇬🇧 ni Bruselas .🇧🇪 Es Andalucía y los recién llegados que están imponiendo su “ Cultura “.🤨🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/VVItp88MJr— Víctor Sanchez Fortun (@Motard8559) April 13, 2026 Who Can Apply? The measure targets two main groups: • Asylum seekers: All individuals who applied for international protection before December 31, 2025, whether their application was approved or rejected.n• Economic migrants: Those who can prove they have been living in Spain since at least July 31, 2025 (a minimum of five months before December 31, 2025). The processing time is expected to take a maximum of three months. However, once an application is formally admitted (a step expected to take no more than 15 days), applicants will be allowed to start working immediately. Successful applicants will receive a one-year residence and work permit, valid across the entire Spanish territory and for any sector. After the initial year, they can transition into ordinary residency and work permits under immigration regulations. The process also allows for the simultaneous regularization of minor children living in Spain, who will receive a five-year authorization.nApplicants must have no criminal record and must not pose a threat to public order. Historical Context Spain has carried out six extraordinary regularizations in its recent history: two under the People’s Party (PP) in 2000 and 2001, and four under the Socialist Party (PSOE) in 1986, 1991, 1996, and 2005. Across the European Union, more than 40 such processes have taken place since the 1990s, with the most recent ones in Italy and Portugal in 2020 and 2021. Spain’s plan to regularize approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants, driven by the government as a moral and economic necessity, has sparked sharp criticism from opposition parties (PP and Vox) who warn of attracting more, overwhelming public services, and undermining the rule of law. Critics argue it rewards illegal entry, with some [Vox] calling it an “institutionalization of the migratory invasion”.  Core Criticisms of the Regularization: • “Pull Effect” Concern: The far-right Vox party and some opposition members argue that this move will encourage more illegal immigration, creating a “pull” effect.n• Administrative Strain: Critics fear that legalizing so many people at once will cause a “collapse” of public services such as healthcare and housing.n• Legal/Procedural Complaints: The use of a quick decree rather than full parliamentary debate for this “extraordinary regularization” has been condemned, and a challenge was brought before the Supreme Court.n• Security Concerns: Despite assurances that criminal records render applicants ineligible, skeptics suggest that monitoring capabilities are insufficient for those with existing police records.n• Political Distraction: Opposition figures accuse Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of using the measure to maintain power and distract from other pressing issues. The government insists on a “regularized and orderly” process to manage the existing realities of migrants already residing in the country. The debate highlights a deep, long-standing divide in Spanish politics regarding immigration management.

MADRID – Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has concluded the investigation into Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and has proposed putting her on trial for four separate criminal offences: influence peddling, corruption in business, embezzlement of public funds, and misappropriation. In the same ruling, the judge also proposes trying Gómez’s former Moncloa advisor, Cristina Álvarez, for the same four offences, and businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés for influence peddling and corruption in business. Israel Reprimands Spain Over Explosion of Giant Netanyahu Effigy The judge has ruled out the charge of professional intrusion (intrusismo profesional), stating there were only “weak and isolated indications” rather than solid evidence. The decision comes exactly two years after the case was opened. Judge Peinado has now given all parties five days to submit their provisional conclusions regarding the opening of an oral trial, which would be heard before a popular jury. Begoña Gómez is currently accompanying Prime Minister Sánchez on an official trip to China. Key Allegations Influence Peddling The judge finds sufficient evidence to charge Gómez with using her position as the Prime Minister’s wife to secure a university chair (cátedra) at the Complutense University of Madrid. In a strongly worded section of the ruling, Peinado states that he cannot find any similar case in Spanish democracy, describing the alleged conduct as more typical of “absolutist regimes” long forgotten in Spain. He suggests the case may require a broad, teleological interpretation of Articles 428 and 429 of the Criminal Code. The judge highlights several indicators, including a meeting at the Moncloa presidential complex between Gómez and the rector of the Complutense, Joaquín Goyache, who reportedly said he barely knew her except through the media and knew her mainly as “the wife of the President.” The rapid approval and creation of the chair, which allegedly served Gómez’s private professional development and provided her with remuneration, is also cited as evidence. Corruption in Business Peinado alleges that Gómez acted as the driving force behind attracting private funds, not genuinely for the public university chair, but allegedly for personal benefit. In exchange, companies allegedly received competitive advantages in public tenders linked to the influence of her husband as Prime Minister. Embezzlement of Public Funds The judge proposes trying both Gómez and Cristina Álvarez for embezzlement. He claims Gómez induced and benefited from Álvarez — a public employee paid by the Prime Minister’s Office — working as her personal assistant on tasks unrelated to her official duties. Misappropriation Gómez is also accused of misappropriating software developed within the university chair on “Competitive Social Transformation,” which she allegedly registered as her own property.nInvolvement of Juan Carlos Barrabés The judge considers that Barrabés’ role went far beyond simply teaching two classes in the master’s program co-directed by Gómez. Evidence includes meetings at Moncloa Palace, strategic advice on the master’s content, and the timing of his support letters coinciding with public tenders involving companies linked to him. Corruption scandals have Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cornered Strong Judicial Language In a notable passage, Judge Peinado invokes the Latin proverb “Corruptio optimi pessima” (“The corruption of the best is the worst”), suggesting that corruption involving those closest to the highest levels of power is particularly serious. The case remains highly controversial and politically charged, coming at a sensitive time for the Sánchez government.